Type holder



Aug 2, 1960 J. MCKNIGHT BALLOU' 2,947,243

` tTYPE HOLDER Filed July 20, 1959 niteci States iPtenit TYPE HOLDER lohn McKnight Ballon, Long Beach, Calif., assigner to This `invention relates to metallic type holders or marking devices wherein a plurality of interchangeable metallic type members, identical except for their character-bearing stamping faces, are removably secured in alignment in a Vtype holder with their Shanks in juxtaposition and their characters expo-sed, the type holder beingadapted to be-fiixed in a stamping machine 'for punch -press operationu'nder load or to be struck by a hammer, as a hand stamp, tocause the lcharacters to make an impression in a surface.

` n the prior art,ivarious metallic type holders have 'been developed for use in a stamping machine andl -other holders have been-devised for use as a hand stamp. Since such type holders `are subject to rough usage inthe marking of products, many attempts have been made to produce a'means fior locking the metallic `type members securely in position. There are va number `of Adisadvantages to the type holders ofthe prior art. A considerable amount of time lis necessary to screw and unscrew the various locking devices when set-up changes aremade, Under conditions of repeated use, the assembled parts have a tendency to come loose or fall apart. When both stamping machines are used and also hand stamp operation, separate type `holders must be used with -resultant added cost to the user by reason of the necessityfor maintaining two diiferent'type holders. The rabove disadvantages are obviated by my invention which provides a time saving type locking means so that a hip yof the thumb lock-s or opens the type for quick set-up change, While the type holder itself is of solid, durable constructionwhich may be used -in a stamping machine, or by the addition-of a handle, may be used as a hand stamp, veliminating `the necessity for duplicate type holders for machine or hand stamping. s

The' general object of the invention is to provide a metallic type holder which may be used either -in connection with a Istamping press or as a hand stamp, which has an improved latching assembly to alternately lock and release a plurality of'metallic type members in alignment in the 'type holder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple locking assembly in a type holder wherein a plurality of selected, yinterchangeabletype members may be positioned in juxtaposition with their characters exposed within acavity :in the type holder and by a simple manual operation, a hip `of, the thumb, may be quickly and Vinstantly locked securely in alignment and by a further simple manual operation, another flip of the thumb, the type members may be quickly and instantly released furthe purpose of substituting other typemernbers with other characters Within v-thetype receiving cavitypin the type` holder. .l

Another object of the invention is' 'to provide astamping device in which a type holder which carries aA plurality of interchangeable type members may be used in connection with .a stamping'press for stamping metal and the like and also as a hand stamp by the provision of a removable y 2,947,243 Patented Aug". 2n, V1960 2 handle, thus eliminating the necessity and expense of two 'separate type holders, one for press stamping land one for `hand stamping.

A `further object of the invention lis to provide a .removable handle for a type holder, which handle is provided with a `bonded plastic coating which is easy to grip, prevents slipping and absorbs hand shock when the handle is grasped by the operator and the handle struck with arhammer during manual operation.

A still `further object of the invention is to provide a metallic type holder vof simple, unitary construction, having a minimum of parts `which is durable, relatively simple to manufacture, and easy to use either as a hand stamp or in a stamping machine.

vIn the accompanying drawings, -I have illustrated, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, a specic embodiment of my invention. In such drawings, Fig. l is a view in side elevation of the type holder equipped with a set of type, the locking device in locked position, with thehandle attached for use as a hand stamp,` the dotted Ylines delineating the shank Yof the type Yholder adapted to be fitted into a stamping machine; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in longitudinal section, partly Vbroken away, along the lines 2 2 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows; Fig, 3 is anenlarged viewrin side elevation, partly broken aWayLof the type holder equipped with Va set of type, the locking device in open position, y-vvithgtlie handle attached for use as a hand stamp, the Adotted lines delineating the side auxiliary type locking stud, the Lopen-' ing in the holder through which the `finger of the leaf member lits for alternatelyjlocking and releasing thejtype members, and the raised guide member on the leafimem bersFig. 4 is a view in longitudinal section Yalongl the lines y4--4 of Fig. 3 inthe vdirection of the arrows; Fig'. 5 isa view in end elevation of the .type'holder ,equipped with a set of type, the'locking device Yin closed, locked; position, the dotted lines delineating the side additional. locking stud bearing agains-t the type members; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the `spring member.,

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 'in which similar 'reference characters identifysi'milar parts in the several view, v10 designates the type holder body, general-Y ly, which has a shank 11 at 'its upper end portion, generally cylindrical, adapted to `be 'iitted into a stampingmachine; for punch press operation.` The bottom endl portion of the type holder body 10is provided with a type -receiving cavity 12 inwhich an assembly of type members ,137:

may Abe' placed in juxtaposition with their ends seating plished by fitting and bonding aheat-treated platen to the, body 10 by suitable means, such as adhesive to form the basal wall 1'4.

The cylindrical shank 11 of the type holder-'body'f` 10 has a depression 1S formed therein and a longitudinal slot o'r groove 16. A handle 17 has a metal body 1S with a centrally disposed hole 19 formed'therein adapted" to' t over the cylindrical shank 11 of the -type holder body 10. As shown in Fig.'l, if itis desired to usey theV device as a hand stamp, 4the removable handle 17 is ii'tte'd over the cylindrical -shank 11 of the type holder body 1l).A I have discovered that a handle which Ais easy to grip, will not slip and which will absorb hand Y shock may be provided by bonding to the metal a v inylv plastic ycoatingv 20 around the grip portion of lthe han` dle 17. The head 21 is rounded to provide ahead for receiving hammer blows.- .A threaded hole 22 is provided adjacent to thelower end of the Ihandle 17, through the metal body 18 and the plastic coating 20, the hole i 22 being adapted to register with the depression 15 in the shank 11 of the type holder body 10. A set screw or stud 23, with a countersunk hexagonal depression of the Allen type is positioned within the threaded hole 22 so that when it is desired to use the device as a hand stamp, after the cylindrical shank 11 of `the type holder body has been slipped into the centrally disposed hole 19 of the handle 17, in proper registry, the set screw 23 may be screwed in with a suitable Allen wrench so that `the stud 23 seats in the depression 15 in the shank 11 so that the handle 17 is securely held in place. The handle 17 may be made of any desired shape and size suitable for being grasped by the operator when the device is used as a hand stamp. The plastic coating 20 makes for easy gripping of the handle, prevents slipping and absorbs hand shocks from hammer blows when the head 21 of the handle 17 is struck by a suitable instrument, such as a hammer.' If, after the device has been used as a hand stamp, it is desired to use a machine operation, the stud 23 is unscrewed with a suitable wrench, the handle 17 slipped off the shank 11 and the device may be placed within the ordinary stamping press (not shown).

The type members, generally designated as 13, are interch-angeable, severally removable type members having numerals or other characters at one end 24, which characters or numerals may be impressed upon the surface of the article to be stamped. The type members 13, which are identical, except for their character-bearing stamping faces 24, have a shank 25, the other non-character bearing end 25 of the type members 13, when placed in juxtaposition within the type receiving cavity 12 in the holder 10 seat upon the basal wall 14. 'The shank 25 of the type members 13 have a notch 27. The several notches 27 in an assembly of type members l13 seated within the type receiving cavity 12 in side-by-side relationship form a continuous notch.

An important feature of my invention is the latching means whereby the type members =13 may be quickly and securely held in juxtaposition or quickly released for the purpose of substituting other type members 13 with other characters within the type receiving cavity 12 in the type holder 10. The upper face of the type holder body 10 is formed with a three-sided shallow depression 28, having a forward wall 29, two side walls 30 and 31 and a basal wall 32, while the rear portion of the depression 28, opposite the forward wall 29 is open. A threaded hole 33 is drilled in the type holder body 10 through the basal wall 32 of the cavity 28. Through the basal wall 32 of the depression 28, adjacent the forward wall 29, a rectangular opening or slot 34 is cut out leading to and communicating with the type receiving cavity 12.

A metallic leaf member 35 is seated to have limited up and down movement by the forward end thereof, without flexure, within the rectangular depression 28, the leaf member 35 having an inwardly turned downwardly depending finger 36 passing through t-he slot 34, the lower extremity of the finger 36 being adapted to lit into and engage the notches 27 in the shank 25 of the type members 13 when the nger 36 is depressed to locking position. The leaf member 35 has an aperture or hole 37 drilled therein. A raised rib or upwardly projecting member 38, positioned rearwardly on the upper surface, is integrally formed from the metal of the leaf member 35 which, as will be described below, acts as a support and stop member. A substantially hemispherically shaped protuberance or upwardly projecting member 39 is punched out forwardly on the upper surface formed from the metal of the leaf member 35.

A locking plate or cap member 40, mounted for limited rotatable movement on said leaf member 35, has an aperture or hole 41 drilled therein adapted to register with the aperture 37 in the leaf member 35 and the threaded hole 33 in the basal wall 32 of the depression 28. A substatnially hemispherically shaped protuberance or downwardly projecting stop member 42 is punched out on the lower surface from the metal of the cap member `40 which, as will be described below, acts as a stop member limiting counter-clockwise rotation of the cap member 40. A substantially hemispherically shaped recess 43 is punched in lthe metal of the locking cap 40 adapted to receive, when in registry therewith, and mate with the complementary hemispherically shaped upwardly projecting member 39 on the leaf member 35. A downwardly projecting claw stop member or lug 44 is formed from the metal of the locking cap 40, which claw stop member y44 acts as a stop limiting clockwise rotation of the cap member 40 against the raised rib 38 of the leaf member 35, as will be explained more fully below. An outwardly projecting finger -lever member or tab 45 is provided, integral with the locking cap 40, for flip of the thumb rotation of the cap member 40.

A bowed leaf spring 46 (see Fig. 6), serving as a tension member, is positioned underneath the leaf member 35 paralleling the length of and adjacent to the slot 34 through which the linger 36 of the leaf member 35 passes, the leaf spring `4,6 serving to urge the forward portion of the leaf member 35 upwardly and the finger 36 out of engagement with the notches 27 in the shank 25 of the type members 13. The spring member 46 is retained in position against forward displacement by the inger 36 of the leaf member 30, against backward displacement by the tubular shank 49 of the bolt 47 and against lateral displacement by the side walls 30 and 31 of the rectangular depression 28.

The various operating parts of the latching assembly are held in relationship by means of the bolt 47 which has a lower screw threaded portion 48 adapted to passthrough the aperture 41 in the cap member y40, the aperture 37 in the leaf member 35 and to be screwed into the threaded hole 33 in the body 10 of the type holder. The bolt 47 has an enlarged tubular shank portion 49 which is of the proper height to enable the leaf member 35 and the locking plate 40 to operate cooperatively, as will be explained below, and which shank portion 49 operates as a bearing around which the rotatable locking cap member '40 turns. The bolt 47 is provided withy a hexagonal recess 50 to receive an Allen" wrench. I; may secure the bolt 47 so that it may not be removed by; using a standard commercially available lock-nut or by cementing the bolt 47 into xed position.

The stamping device, ready for use as a hand stamp (or in a machine press by removing the handle 17, as de-f scribed above) with the type members 13 in locked posi-` tion is illustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 5. The type members 13 are seated in juxtaposition within the type receiving cavity 12 of the type holder body 10 with their character bearing stamping faces 14 projecting forwardly of the type holder body and their lower ends 26 bearing upon-V the basal wall 14 of the type receiving cavity 12. The` type members are so positioned that the several notches' 27 of the assembly of type members 13 in juxtapositiony form a continuous notch, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2.1 The finger 36 of the leaf member 35 is in type-engaging position, the lower extremity of the linger 36 fitting into the notches 27 of the type members 1'3 and held in such. position by reason of the action of the underside of the rotatable cap member 40 bearing against the upwardly projecting member 39 on the leaf member 35, which` serves to act against the tension of the spring 46 forcing the spring 46 to assume a substantially Hat position, asA shown most clearly in Fig. 2. ln locking position the rotatable locking cap member 40 is supported forwardlyY l by the upwardly projecting member 39 on the leaf mem-P projecting sup-.y

ber 35 and rearwardly by the upwardly porting rib member 38.

If itis desired to change the type members 13, the oper-` ator merely contacts the outwardly projecting linger lever position, theupwardly projectmgrmember 39jsnaps, into and ntswithin the complementarynemispherically shaped -recess 43a in the'loeking cap member d'0 and held there `by reason ofthe tension of 'they spring -member 46 as shown 'most clearly 'in Fig. 14.*; Further-rotation of the rocking plate 40 inV ajcloclrwise direction is lirnited'bytheclaw member 44 on the locking 'cap'u member 40 bearing against Vthe raised rib 138 on 'the'leaf member 35. in this open position, the inger 36" of the VLleaf vmember 35, under spring 'ten/sion, isheld outof thenotch'ejs27 of 'thejtype members 13. lThis entire action is 'accomplished by1a`ip ofthe thumbjf The type members 1'3 may be 'then'inten changed, as desired'. l

lf itis then desired tolock the new type members 13 in place, the operator merely again contacts the nger lever 45 on the locking ycap 'member '40 and by manual pressure 'rotates the locking cap 40 inA a counter-clockwise direction the closed position. nAs this operation is performed th'egupwardly'projecting member or. pro'tuberance 39 rides ourofthecompiementary hemispherically shaped recess 43 `in lthe 4locking cap member 40 and the spring 46i's forced to assume a substantially ilat position. When vthe ringer levermember 45 has been rotated approximately 1180 'degrees'counter-clockwise tothe closed position, as sho'wn'iin Pig. `2`, further counter-clockwise rotation is Vlimited by 4the hemispherically shaped protuberance 42 on 'thebot'tom ofthe locking cap member 40 bearing' against thefhemispherically shaped protuberance 39 on the leaf lmember 351.y As described above, the type members Y13 are in, locked position, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 r,and 5e. 1ifhe entire Y,locking operation is, again, accomplished by a fipof the thumb. I V

` While my construction has been found 'to be an effective locking vn reans for interchangeable type members, suitable yfor prolonged trouble-free use in commercial stamping' operations, when fused either as a hand stamp or in afma'chine press, I may provide an auxiliary lock-v ing means for the character bearing type members. To 'thisfend 'las shownin Figs. 3 vand 5, a screw threaded hole isfformed inthe side ofthe type holder body' 1'0 opening into Lone o'fthe 'side vwalls ofthe `type .receivingcavity fset screw or stud 52, with -a c'ounte'rsunk hexagonal depressionv of the Allenwtype lis positioned within the threaded hole 51 'so that, if desired, the' operator, by the useof a suitable Allen wrench may provide a second or additional lock for the type members 13 by turning 'said screw 52 so thatits bottom face bears against the shank 2'5' of the outermost of the 'type members 13 to press the assembly of type members towards' the end wall of the type receiving cavity 12 to hold the type members 13 in a-.double`loek, 'that of the-actionof 'the stud 52- and bythe action of the finger 136, as lshown most clearly in Fig. 2. If'the auxiliary 'lock' with the vstn`d52 'is used, of course, when it-.is desired to change.A thetyp'e members 13, the st'ud S2 .mustbe unscrewed in order'V to be 'able to remove the typemembers 13 fromthe type-'receiving cavity 12 6 body portion having a nger for engaging said notches said type members to hold sai-d vtype `members in locked position, a cap member rotatably mounted on said -leaf member, tension means serving to urge said linger of said lea-f member toga position out of engagement'with the notchesin said type members, cooperating stop means on said 'eapmember and said leaf member permitting limited rotational movement of said cap member in both clock# wise rand counter-clockwie direction and cooperating means on said leaf member. and said cap member whereby when said cap member Yis manually rotated in one direcf tion Said finger of said leaf member is depressed against lthe 'tension 'of said tension means to engage said notches in said type members to hol'd said type'members in locked position andwhen said capA member is manually rotated in an opposite Adirection said iinger 'of said leaf member, der urging `.of-said tension means, is withdrawn from said notches in said type members to unlock said type meinbers. j 2. A type' holder comprising a body portion having type receiving cavity at one end for receiving a plurality of interchangeable Atype members, `each of said type members having Va notched rshank to form a continuous notch when said type members are assembled in juxtaposition in ,said type receiving cavity, a leaf member mounted on said bodyportionhaving an4 inwardly turned downwardly projecting finger passing through a slot in the wall of said body portion lcommunicating with said type receiving cavity for engaging said notches in said type members to hold said type members' in llocked position, va cap menti ber rotatably mounted onsaid leaf member, tension means, interposed .between .said bodyportion and said leaf member to urge, said iinger' of 'said leafr member 'to aposition vout Vof engagement with the notches in said type members, cooperatingV stop means on said cap me ber and said leaf `memberpermitting limited rotatie i movement 'of said cap member in Yboth clockwise'and counter-clockwise `direction and cooperating means'oii said leaf member and said cap member whereby 'when said capmember is manually rotated in one direction said iingerof saidleaf member is depressed againstfthe tension of said Atension means to engage said notches in lsaid type members to hold said type mem-bers in locked posi tion and when said cap member is manually rotated in an yopposite direction said ringer of said leaf member under urgingof said 'tension means is withdrawn from said notches in said type lmembers to unlock: said 'type members. ji 3 f '3'. A ltype holder for a plurality of interchangeable= metallic typemembers 'adapted to be xed lin a machine' for punch press operation orI to be struck by a hammer in hand operation to cause the vcharacters of thetype members to make an impression in 'a surface comprising a body portion, one end' of Ysaid body portion havingja shank V'adapted to be fitted into a machine'for punch press operation, a handle member adapted to fit over"n said shank of said end portion and be removably securedthereto by securing means for hand stamp operation, the upper end of said handle portion having a head Iforte-f ceiving hammer blows, a type receiving cavity at the other endof said body portion for receiving a plurality oflinterchangeable type members havingV Shanks with notches therein, a slotted opening in said body portion communicating with said type receiving cavity,` a leaf member having Va 'finger passing through said 'slotted opening in said body portion for engaging said notches in said type members to hold said type members "in" locked position, a cap member rotatably mountedgon" said leaf member, tension means vinterposed betweenY said body portion and said leaf member to urge 'saidriingeri of said leaf member to a'position 'out ofiAengagernelpitl with the notches in said type members, cooperating 'st opA means 'on said cap member and said leaf member mittng Ylimited rotational movement of said cap me ber'in both'a clockwise and a countercloc'kwise 'dire-ritieni and cooperating means on said leaf member and said cap member whereby when said cap member is manually rotated in one direction said finger of said leaf member is depressedV against the tension of said tension means to 'engage said notches in said type members to hold said type members in locked position and when said cap member is manually rotated in an opposite direction, said ringer of lsaid leaf member under urging of said tension means is withdrawn from said notches in said type members to unlock said type members. i

4. A type holder for Ya pluralityof interchangeable metallic type members adapted to be fixed in a machine for punch press operation or to be struck by a 'hammer to cause the characters of the type members to make 'an impression in a surface comprising'a body portion, one end of said body portion having a shank adapted to be fitted into a'machine for punch press operation, a handle member having a plastic shock-absorbent coating adapted to fit over said shank of said end portion and be removably secured thereto by securing means for hand stamp operation, the upper end of said handle portion having a `head for receiving hammer blows, a type receiving cavity at the other end of said body portion for Ireceiving a, .plurality of interchangeable type members having shanks with notches therein, a slotted opening in said body portion communicating with said type receiving cavity, a spring impelled leaf memberhaving a finger capable of movement through said slotted opening in said body portion to alternately engage or disengage said notches in said type members respectively to locked or released position, a cap member rotatably mounted on said leaf member, cooperating stop means on said cap member and said leaf member permitting limited rotational movement of said cap member in both a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direct-ion and cooperating means on said leaf member and said cap member whereby when said cap member is manually rotated in one direction said finger of said leaf member is depressed to engage said notches in said type members to hold said type members in locked position and when said cap member is manually rotated in an opposite direction, said finger of said leaf member is withdrawn from said notches in said type members to unlock said type members.

5. A type holder comprising a body portion having a type receiving cavity at one end -for receiving a plurality of interchangeable type members, a plurality of type members assembled in juxtaposition in said cavity and seating with their ends upon the basal wall of said cavity, the basal wall of said cavity being constituted by a heat treated platen fitted and secured to said body portion, a leaf member mounted on said body portion having a finger for engaging notches in said type members to hold said type members in locked position, a cap member rotatably mounted on said leaf member, tension means serving to urge said linger of said leaf member to a position out of engagement with the notches in said type members, cooperating stop means on said cap member and said leaf member permitting limited rotational movement of said cap member and cooperating means on said leaf member and said cap member whereby when said cap member is manually rotated said finger of said lea-f member moves in and out of type engaging position.

6. A type holder comprising a body portion having a type receiving cavity with a slot in its upper wall at one end for receiving a plurality of notched interchangeable metallic type members identical except for their character bearing stamping faces, said type members when assembled in juxtaposition in said type receiving cavity presenting a continuous notch, a shank at the other end of said 4body portion adapted to be fitted into a machine for punch press-operation, a handle member adapted to fit over said shank and be removably secured thereto by securing means for hand stamp operation, said handle member having an outer plastic shock-absorbent coating bonded to its outer surface covering the grip portion of `said handle and a head adapted to receive hammerblows, a manually operable latching assembly for alternately locking andreleasing said type members,'said latching assembly comprising a' leaf member 'mounted on said body portion, said leaf member terminating atone end in an inwardly turned downwardly projecting type engaging finger engageable into said continuous notch formed by said type members, said finger being. capable of limited up and down movement through said slot in the wall of said bodyy portion communicating with said type receiving cavity, said leaf member having an upwardly projecting supporting member positioned rearwardly on its upper surface, van upwardly projecting member positioned for. wardly-on its upper surface and an aperture positioned between said supporting member and said upwardly proje'cting member, a cap member rotatably mounted on said leaf member zfor limited rotational movement, said cap having av downwardly projecting claw member, a linger lever member, a downwardly projecting stop member, a recess adapted to register with vand receive said upwardly projecting member on said leaf member and an aperture adapted to register with the aperture in said'leaf member, tension means interposed between said leaf member and said body portion bearing against the forward underside portion of said leaf member to urge said type engaging finger of said leaf member lto a position out of engagement with the notches of said type members and fastening means passing through said apertures in said leaf member and said cap member to secure said leaf member-and said cap member to said body portion.

7. A type holder as claimed in claim 6, including additional type member locking means comprising a screw threaded stud extending through a side wall of said body portion, one end of said studbeing adapted to bear upon an outer type member positioned within said type receiving cavity so as to press the assembly of type members towards the opposite end wall of said type re-` ceiving cavity.

8. A type holder comprising a body portion having a type receiving cavity with a heat-treated basal wall; a slotted upper wall and two end walls for receiving a plurality of notched interchangeable metallic type members identical except for their character bearing stamping faces at their forward ends, said type members, when assembled in juxtaposition with their non-character bear-` ing ends seated upon said basal wall presenting acontinuous notch facing the slot in the said upper wall, a shallow depression in the upper surface of said body portion, a manually operable latching assembly for alternately locking and releasing said type members, said latching assembly comprising a leaf member mounted in said depression on'said body portion, said leaf member terminating at one end in an inwardly turned downwardly projecting type engaging finger engageable' into said continuous notch formed by said type members in juxtaposition in said type receiving cavity, said finger being capable of limited up and down movement through said slot in the -upper wall of said type receiving cavity; said leaf member having an upwardly projecting supporting rib member position-ed rearwardly on its upper surface, a substantially hemispherically shaped upwardly projecting member positioned forwardly on its upper surface and an aperture positioned betweensaid rib and said upwardly projecting member, a cap member rotatably mounted on said leaf member for limited rotatable movement in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction; said cap having a downwardly projecting claw stop member, an outwardly projecting linger lever member, a downwardly projecting stop member, a substantially hemispherically shaped recess adapted to register. withI and lreceive, said complementary substantially hemispherically shaped upwardly projecting member on said leaf member and an aperture adapted to register with the aperture in said leaf member, a spring member `posi-l age-sygate tioned in vsaid depression in said body portion, interposed between said body portionand said leaf' member, bearing against the `forward underside portion of said leaf nlen'iber tourge said engaging nger of Asaid leaf member to a position out of engagement with the notches of said type members, a bolt member havingan enlarged tubular shank passing through said apertures in "said leaf member and said cap member to secure said leafmem-I ber and` said ycap `member' 'to "said body portionfs'aid cap member having limited 'rotatable movement in a clockwise/and count'er-eloclmvsey direction .around said tubular shank ofsaid bolt member 'to `alternately move said finger of saidleaf' member up and down out of `and Iinto locking position, respectively, in relationship to said notches in said type members and auxiliary type locking means comprising vav"screw-'threaded stud extending through one end wall of `said type -receiving cavity adapted to bear upon an outer type member positioned within` said type receiving cayity so as vto Ipress thai-assembly of'type members toward the opposite end wall of said type receiving cavity. -v ,bi

- Inatype holder including abodygportion :having a type; receiying 'cavity ivi'fh'aheat-treated basal wall and a'slotinitslipper walll abone endforreceivig a4 plurality of notched interchangeable metallic type members identical 4except for their character bearing stamping faces at their forward ends, said type members when assembled in juxtaposition with their non-character bearing ends seated upon said basal wall in said type receiving cavity presenting a continuous notch and a depresion in the upper surface of said body portion adapted to receive a manually operable latching assembly for alternately locking and releasing said type members, said latching assembly comprising a leaf member mounted in a depression in said body portion, said leaf member terminating at one end in an inwardly turned downwardly projecting type engaging finger engageable into a continuous notch formed by a plurality of type members in juxtaposition in a type receiving cavity in said body portion, said finger being capable of limited up and down movement through a slot in the wall of said body portion communicating with said type receiving cavity, said leaf member having an upwardly projecting rib member positioned rearwardly on its upper surface, a substantially hemispherically shaped upwardly projecting member positioned forwardly on its upper surface and an aperture positioned between said rib and said upwardly projecting member, a cap member rotatably mounted on said leaf member for limited rotatable movement in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, said cap having a downwardly projecting claw stop member, an outwardly projecting finger lever member, a downwardly projecting stop member, a substantially hemispherically shaped recess adapted to register with and receive said complementary substantially hemispherically shaped upwardly projecting member on said leaf member and an aperture adapted to register with the aperture in said leaf member, a spring member positioned in said depression in said body portion interposed between said body portion and said leaf member, bearing against the forward underside portion of said leaf member to urge said type engaging linger of said leaf member to a position out of engagement with the notches of said type members and a bolt member having a tubular shank passingthrouglh said apertures in said leaf member and said cap member to secure said leaf member and said cap member to said body portion whereby, when the operator, by manual pressure on said finger lever member rotates said cap in a counter-clockwise direction around the shank of said bolt member to the position where said downwardly projecting stop member on said cap contacts said hemispherically shaped upwardly projecting member positioned forwardly on the upper surlface of said leaf member further counter-clockwise ro- 'tation isthus` limitedssaid'iingerl of said leaf member is member on the surface of said leaf member, and when vthe operator, by .manual lpressure on saidl finger lever member, rotates said cap in a clockwise `direction 'to vthe position where said claw nstop member of `said cap' conjtacts said raised rib Amember 'o'f v'said leaf member fur- 4 ther clockwise rotation is thus 'limited and Ysaid hemispherically shaped upwardly projecting. member positioned forwardly on 'the surface of said leaf A'member is in: registry :and snaps into and "mates withsaid 'substati-vv ti'ally hemispherically shaped 'recess'i'n said cap and said lfingerof-'said leaf rrlembe'r raised through said. slot in 'the upper' wall 'of said body portion, Sunder tension 'ofsaid spring member, out oftype engaging position,"

out 'of 'the Ynotches of 'sjaid 'type members,releasing and permi'ftinginte'rchanging of said type members.

10. "A type holder comprising" a body 'portionhaving a type receiving cavity with a heattreated basal wall and a slot in its upper wall at one end of said body portion for receiving a plurality of notched interchangeable metallic type members identical except for their character bearing stamping faces at their forward ends',

said type members, when assembled in juxtaposition with" their non-character bearing ends seated upon said basal wall in said type receiving cavity presenting a continu.

ous notch, their character bearing ends projecting beyond end limits of said body portion, a three-sided depression in the upper. surface of said body portion, a cylindrical shank at the other end of said body portion having longitudinal groove and a depression in its outer surface adapted to be fitted into a machine for punch pressl operation, a handle member with a centrally disposed hole adapted to fit over said cylindrical shank of said body portion and be removably secured thereto by a set screw engageable into said depression in said cylindrical shank for hand stamp operation, said handle member having a head adapted to receive hammer blows and a plastic coating bonded to its outer grip surface, a manually operable latching assembly for alternately locking and releasing said type members, said latching assembly comprising a leaf member mounted in said depression in said body portion, said leaf member terminating at one end in an inwardly turned downwardly projecting type engaging finger engageable into said continuous notch formed by said type members in juxtacapable of limited up and down movement through said slot in the wall of said body portion communicatingwith said type receiving cavity, said leaf member having an upwardly projecting rib member positioned rearwardly on its upper surface', a substantially hemispherically shaped upwardly projecting member positioned forwardly on its upper surface and an apertui'e positioned between said rib and said upwardly projecting member, a cap member rotatably mounted on said leaf member for limited rotatable movement in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, said cap having a dowxlv` wardly projecting claw stop member, an outwardly pro`- jecting finger lever member, a downwardly projecting stop member, a substantially hemispherically shaped recess adapted to register with and receive said comple-y mentary substantially hemispherically shaped upwardly projecting member on said leaf member and an aperture adapted to register with the aperture in said leaf member, a bowed leaf spring member positioned in saidA depression in said body portion, interposed between said body portion and said leaf member, bearing against the forward underside portion of said leaf member t0 "1-1 urge said type engaging tingerof said leaf member to a ph'osition out of lengagen'ient with the notches of said type members and aV bolt member having an enlarged tubular shank passingthrough saidapertures n said leaf member and `said cap member to secure said leaf mem- .ber arid said cap member to said body portion by screw means, whereby when the operator, by manual pressure `oirsaid linger. -lever member rotates said capin a counter-clockwise direction around the shank'of said bolt -member'to the position where said downwardly projecting member on said cap contacts said hemispherically shaped upwardly projecting member positioned forwardly on the upper surface of said leaf member further counter-clockwise rotation is thus limited, said finger of said leaf membervis depressed through said slot in the ,upper wall of said body portion against the tension of 'said bowed leaf spring member into type engaging locking position into the notches of said type members by the" action of the underside of said cap bearing against said hemispherically shaped upwardly projecting member positioned forwardly on the upper surface of said leaf member, said cap being supported rearwardly by the upwardly projecting rib member on the surface of said leaf member, and when the operator, by manual pressure on said fingerlever memberyrotates said cap in a clockwise ldirection to the position where said claw stop member of said cap member contacts said raised rib member of said leaf member further clockwise rotation is thus limited said hemispherically lshaped `upwardly projecting member positioned forwardly on the surface of said leaf member registers and mates with said subf stantially hemispherically shaped recess in said cap and said finger of said leaf member is raised through said slot in the upper wall of said body portion, under tension of said bowed leaf spring member, out of type engag?y ing position, out of the notches of said type members, releasing and permitting interchanging of said type members. a Y y References Cited in the iilc of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

